Patti Coppess and her husband moved to Portage in 1995. Coppess, a big believer in giving back to local communities, volunteers in various ways for the Portage community. “I always felt that if you don’t give back to your community, you shouldn't...
Claire Kenney
A Portage Life in the Spotlight: Nick Mescal
Long-time Portage area native Nick Mescal gets to do what a lot of people don’t – combine his hobby and his work. A professional cornhole player, Mescal’s interest in the sport, also referred to as bags, first began when playing recreationally...
A Portage Life in the Spotlight: Emily Sibbrell
Emily Sibbrell serves as a medical assistant at Associated Pediatricians in Portage. For her, working with children is something that she’s always loved to do. “I’ve always liked kids,” said Sibbrell. “I used to be a swim coach, and it's...
A Portage Life in the Spotlight: George Kepchar Jr.
As a child, George Kepchar Jr. grew up in the real estate industry. His father owned Century 21 Kepchar in the Merrillville/Crown Point area. Eventually, real estate also became Kepchar’s career. Upon graduating from college, Kepchar went to...
A Portage Life in the Spotlight: John Wirth
It’s been said that the only way you can keep it is if you give it away. This philosophy is a key driver for John Wirth and how he lives. A member of the Board of Directors for the Greater Portage Chamber of Commerce, Wirth works at the Portage...
A Portage Life in the Spotlight: Emily Hopkins
Emily Hopkins is a wife, a mother, and a nurse. Both her role at home as a wife and mother and her role as a nurse at Associated Pediatricians’ Portage office are integral to her life. Prior to the birth of her son, Archer, Hopkins worked full-time...